Franklin Evander Hanna: Masonic Service and Personal Regalia
Title
Franklin Evander Hanna: Masonic Service and Personal Regalia
Description
Franklin Evander "Vander" Hanna (1858-1918), recorded as “F. E. Hanna,” appears among the Master Masons of Indiantown Lodge No. 165 in the 1903 proceedings. Listings identified for 1908 and 1909 also record his service as Tiler. Master Mason is the third degree of lodge Masonry, while Tiler is an officer’s position. The Tiler traditionally guarded the meeting-room entrance with a drawn sword, admitting qualified members and protecting the proceedings from unauthorized listeners. These records document Hanna’s membership and officer service; they do not identify him as Worshipful Master, the lodge’s presiding officer.
Three items belonging to Franklin Evander "Vander" Hanna (1858-1918) accompany this record:
Masonic apron. The apron has a light-colored rectangular body, a triangular upper flap, and a gathered blue-green fabric border. The flap bears the All-Seeing Eye surrounded by rays, while the body displays an ornate square and compasses enclosing the letter “G.” In Masonic symbolism, the eye represents divine watchfulness; the square and compasses express moral conduct and self-restraint, and “G” commonly refers to Geometry and God. The ceremonial apron recalls the protective garments of working stonemasons and symbolizes innocence and upright conduct.
White fabric glove. The photographed glove has an extended cuff and stitched lines along the back of the hand. White gloves form part of Masonic ceremonial attire, although their use varies among lodges.
Funeral-service booklet. The dark-covered booklet is titled Funeral Service of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South Carolina. It is associated with funeral observances honoring deceased members. No publication date is visible.
Three items belonging to Franklin Evander "Vander" Hanna (1858-1918) accompany this record:
Masonic apron. The apron has a light-colored rectangular body, a triangular upper flap, and a gathered blue-green fabric border. The flap bears the All-Seeing Eye surrounded by rays, while the body displays an ornate square and compasses enclosing the letter “G.” In Masonic symbolism, the eye represents divine watchfulness; the square and compasses express moral conduct and self-restraint, and “G” commonly refers to Geometry and God. The ceremonial apron recalls the protective garments of working stonemasons and symbolizes innocence and upright conduct.
White fabric glove. The photographed glove has an extended cuff and stitched lines along the back of the hand. White gloves form part of Masonic ceremonial attire, although their use varies among lodges.
Funeral-service booklet. The dark-covered booklet is titled Funeral Service of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South Carolina. It is associated with funeral observances honoring deceased members. No publication date is visible.
Date
Dec 20
Contributor
Josh Dukes
Collection
Citation
“Franklin Evander Hanna: Masonic Service and Personal Regalia,” Johnsonville SC History, accessed October 11, 2026, https://johnsonvilleschistory.org/items/show/1646.
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